I go to a lot of networking meetings. Lunches dinners happy hours. I am beginning to think it’s just not worth it. I find I am not getting much if any real good referrals. Hard to justify the time spent vs the return on investment. Is it just me ? Do you all get a lot of business networking ?

My partner’s grandparents love any kind of rhythm and recently dived into learning Spanish and salsa. I can’t really find a gift for them since they have what they want, so I wanted to make them a playlist of salsa music that has a generally upbeat and good vibe. I currently have the following on the list:

Oh Qué Será? -Willie Colón El Dia De Mi Suerte- Willie Colón y Hector Lavoe El Cantante- Hector Lavoe Pedro Navaja- Willie Colón y Rúben Blades Toro Mata- Johnny Pacheco y Celia Cruz Periódico De Ayer- Hector Lavoe

I have nothing against Willie and Hector but they’re owning the playlist right now as salsa icons so I’m looking for a few other artists.

Is salsa getting worse in your city/town? I'm a bit jaded because I'm being asked to dance by followers that can't even do basics, crossbody or understand basic fundamentals.

If you are one of these followers my question is, what's stopping you attending lessons?

Id like to know what other leads/followers that have the same feelings as me.

One thing I find helping me is using my cross bodies (as lead) as a way to reset or start the 1.

How bad is it if you prep on 123 but start your lead basic in on2?

There's also I believe, the Eddie Torres forward or break half-step in on2 and it's supposed to be distinct, like a cha cha step, where does this fall in place?

I find part of my issue really comes from prepping, j prep, c prep, up prep or whatever you call it, is a built in habit from on1. Preps are on 1-23 then movement on 567.

I guess if there's a note I want to hit, muscle memory of on1 kicks in and I do the 123 prep which leads for an awkward 567 spin for the follow in an on2 footwork, however is this not quite a bad thing? Because it leaves the follow having an extra step or second to recover from her spin?

I'm also told to keep my gape, the distance between my footwork in the 123 short but 567 a little longer but im not sure if this is an on2 trait or not?

I guess it's also a good thing. Now I need to do a complete 123 567 basic to initiate a movement because 567 is prep, then 123 is the movement initiation. Sometimes I can opt for a spin in the 1. Then this usually helps reset on2 footwork.

I can't explain it...... But I know I'm feeling it. I'll say I have more time to "breathe"? Leading on2?? It's more ballroom esque or flowy?? I mean why can't on2 be as flashy or showy as on1, I'm sure you can do it with on2 but I think on1 just goes on the nose so the flashy movements like a dip or a "!" shows. Maybe on2 feels like an E string, harmonic string of the guitar when plucked, and on1 feels like the G string, not necessarily harder but you can tell there's a lot of bass there..???

Am I accurate in saying that the main culprit is the on1 habit of prepping on the 123? This is for the on1 dancers trying to convert to on2.

Si tienen alguna truco, let me know :)

Hello everyone,

I have been on this sub for quite a while and from time to time, there is the usual post of "Salsa is on the decline" or "Bachata/Kizomba is taking over" and frankly I never understood this.

From my point of view, salsa as a music genre is in a good place, we have big reggateton stars making salsa songs from time to time, including:

-Camilo whose last album is solely salsa -Rauw Alejandro in his last album has a salsa song -Maluma has collaborated extently with Marc Anthony in his recent albums

And there are probably other more that I don't know of (feel free to give other exemples in the commments).

On top of that, we have young artists who are specialized in salsa, who keep making new albums, to name a few:

-Daniela Darcourt from Peru -Brunella Torpoco from Peru -Bembe Orquestra from the bay area -Gia fu from China

And this is amazing, because it shows that salsa speaks to the new generation! So why would salsa be dying? Salsa as a dance will follow, maybe some styles will be more popular than others because of trends of culture but who cares? The genre is alive and well.

I don't know how it was before because I'm relatively young and I've been dancing for only 4 years now, but it seems to me that there is no reason to be worried.

What do you guys think?

Any personal experience? What made them stand out, what makes them awesome human beings beyond dancers?

I attended a mambo night tonight and one of the leads was having a brilliant time. He was split jumping and everything. It was amusing to watch, although I’m not sure I would recommend it in a room with limited space. So if you’re a styling kinda lead or follow, what kind of moves do you enjoy doing? Alternatively, what moves might be a bit much in your opinion.

Would you recommend them? I just need something for socials, which aren’t always on dance floors.

I am trying to infuse more salsa into my social media feed! It can be Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc. I would be grateful if you could share an account or two that you follow that you have found fun or helpful or both! I went down a rabbit hole of salsa Instagram reels on an account the other day and found it fun to watch. I crave some more. Thanks all!

I go social dancing in Toronto and a ton of people come, dance, and leave. There is no socializing. I can't even have a conversation because the music is too loud and maybe that's the reason people don't interact much. Ironically the only socializing that I get from the community is outside of social dancing and in the studio where I take lessons.

Hello Everyone,

I dance on1 salsa, and I heard it's mostly Cuban salsa in Spain.

could you recommend on1 salsa and bachata classes or socials in Barcelona?

I heard Ciutadella Park and Joan Miro Park in Barcelona have socials and classes.

On what days and time do they run? Is their salsa on 1?

Thank you in advance, for your reply.! : )

I'm visiting from New Zealand and dance Kizomba, bachata, Salsa (badly) and WCS any guide on where to dance and what nights? Thanks 😊

I’m a beginner on2 dancer picking things up in class by going 3-4 times per week for about 6 weeks now. I have my turns, cross body lead, and some other simple techniques down to an acceptable level.

However I am STRUGGLING to find the beat if a song is just played and the instructor doesn’t at the very least begin with a countdown. This happens semi-frequently, simply due to how loud the music is or if the instructor is further away or facing away from me at the start of the countdown. Struggling is an understatement, I literally get it wrong almost every time. I can’t do it.

When I ask, most people say just listen to the music but this has not helped at all. I almost need a lesson by itself on how to do this. I feel like it is hindering my progress at this point.

I feel like the scene has become quite commercialized and anyone can join in on it, but I truly wish more people do.

It’s got to a point where almost 70-80% of the people in a festival are people I’ve danced with atleast once. Some of them were dancers who met me when I was just a beginner or some that just do not like my style but has no intentions of dancing with me again. So it becomes an awkward experience walking around looking for a dance.

Then there are follows who I feel like are used to a routine-esque, physically heavier pull type of leading that you can honestly feel like the space of creativity is getting smaller or is nonexistent and you try to vibe with her only to be met with an expressionless blank stare. I’m not wanting to fish for any emotional responses, I’m not someone who will go and ask “come on smile a little, lady!” and I’m fine with a super mutual dance with a quick thank you after the dance. But sometimes their thank yous just feel disrespectful, or that they just nod and stare past you, after I say a thank you. And a scene having a smaller new fresh set of faces each year sort of makes it staler especially if you have these types of cliquey people.

Yeah, sometimes I just couldn’t feel the music and couldn’t pull what they’re asking for because I’m still working on that aspect of my dancing, sometimes our styles just don’t match or will probably never match, I’ll remember her and she’ll remember me and I’m okay with this (honestly it feels as if we hold some grudge never to dance with each other again) and I think all of this has something to do with being a lone wolf as well. There are many lone wolf guys in my scene, a few women too, it’s that approach of keeping the dance world separate from our normal social life and being super careful or treating everyone as acquaintances is what I think might be hurting our vibes or career as a life long social dancer. You got to put more in and fan your ego, but some of us just can’t be bothered and just really want to dance and go home once we proved something to ourselves, like a move we’ve paid privates for and practiced so hard on, more or less with trying to suck up or wanting people to like us.

Sometimes the scene just becomes stale and you wish more new people come in, especially for having the types I have in my scene. I observed mine, and a good majority knows everyone beyond acquaintance level because they shared or currently share a studio monthly together. Thankfully, one of the best experiences I always can get are from follows who are open, humble, doesn’t mind covering for a mistake you did. Even better, someone from out of town or not usually ingrained in your scene, you can tell they’re the ones that makes a scene great, despite a mediocre super simple type of leading you just tried but they found some appreciation to it and would match your thank yous and even go for a hug or a double high five. They would give non verbal feedbacks, give you kind eye contacts to reassure you because you started feeling a little lost. And a quick brief “match your level” thank you after the dance without a rbf or a dismissive nod or a stare through you. I feel like a good chunk of the follows in my scene are some sort of conservative traditionalists, prefer or look for that patronization, I feel like the leads that they vibe with are the types who’re not too friendly with other leads or are full of themselves. And I think there’s a reason they prefer not to try dancing with certain pros who will be at a fest, someone the likes of Maykel, Terry or Jorge, and when they do they cerainky struggle despite being a seasoned studio performer. They’ll definitely like someone like a Vasquez brother or Super Mario. Long story short, we need more Cecile types in the scene or atleast promote more of a good standard for all.

Hi all, looking for some recommendations. I'm planning a 1 month workation somewhere in Europe. Mostly I'm looking for a nice place with good weather and a change of scenery from the UK, but I would also like a place with good on2 teachers that I can take lessons/privates with while I'm out there. Currently Athens is a strong contender but I'm open to other suggestions. Bonus points if there is also Dominican Bachata.

I just started taking salsa classes (on1).

We only have women in the class, during classes, we learned the first step going forward with the left foot.

But as a follower F, I should always step back with my right foot when we dancing with a partner (right?)

While there is not social dance where I live, I thought I should always practice going back with the right foot in case one day I dance with a partner.

I’m a little confused about the best way to practice as a beginner F. Probably for intermediate/advanced dancers it would not matter, as they would quickly adjust to any circumstances.

Any thoughts or advice?

I've been leading for 3 years, and I'd say I'm upper intermediate now. I dance both on 1/on2, and am very far down the salsa rabbit hole generally.

I've dabbled in following, but I'd like to be able to follow properly in a social, as it's been great fun whenever I've done it.

In terms of current level of following, I'd say I can do travelling turns fine, and just about manage a double right turn. Beyond that though it gets messy.

Any tips from leaders who have properly started following? Things to focus on, avoid etc?

I’m a bit socially anxious but still love talking to people and having a few drinks on a night out. Getting out of the house and interacting with the world around me makes me happy.

I started learning salsa a year ago and been going to socials more intensively several months ago and wow, it is everything I wished ‘going out’ to regular clubs would be. It is SO interactive and social, both physically and conversationally, and of course the music is always great. The scene is intentionally respectful and doesn’t revolve around drinking.

Now when I get dragged to a regular club I find myself standing in a circle doing the same moves to extremely loud techno or pop music, not talking or dancing with anybody and everybody else in the club is the same. Everybody’s getting trashed to overcome the awkwardness of the whole situation. Every time I just look around and think, “why the fuck are we here instead of going to salsa?”.

I know salsa takes a lot of upfront investment to learn, but I’m starting to drift away from my friends that want to go out to regular clubs. I just don’t see the point of it anymore when I know how much happier I could be at salsa (I’m also down for bachata, cumbia, merengue- any kind of social dance).

Anyways, kind of a rant here but salsa is the fuckin best. Learning this and getting in to other social dances has changed my life so positively, I’m finding it impossible to look back.

Compared to bachata, which i’m really good at, i find salsa to be very tough. When I watch people dance, sometimes it seems they aren’t dancing to the beat and it just appears as if they are just moving, unlike bachata where you can clearly see moving to the rhythm of the beat.

it’s rare seeing people dance to the beat of salsa. can someone explain to me please. I’ve given salsa numerous chances but it just turns me off how there’s no clear rhythm to follow unlike bachata or merengue.

So about a year or two ago I randomly got the idea in my head to try Salsa lessons. I never actually did it. Now I’m going on a vacation in about a year that will have Salsa clubs nearby that seem interesting, and the idea is back in my head.

I have never danced before. Not at school dances. Not at either of the proms I went to. Not at weddings. And I don’t live anywhere where Salsa would be a dance done at any of these. I also don’t think I have a body for dancing. Just picture a cliche power lifter, big and bulky. And I have no concept of how people move the way they do. It looks completely foreign to me.

I think the appeal is doing something I’ve never done before and previously been too self conscious to do, and see how well I it goes. I also like the idea of a form of dance that is well defined. It’s not just, move your body to the music, but there is an actual “how”.

So, uhhh, can anyone convince me to just take the lessons?

Does anyone know what song is being played on the 3rd slide of this post?

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6lqxINS3uV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Has anyone taken remote private lessons?

I have learned that a lead that I deeply respect and want to emulate offers remote private lessons. He seems to think that would be a good medium to help me with some of the issues I want to address (e.g. balance, posture, footwork, and modeling my overall aesthetics off of some of what I like about his dancing).

I am concerned that remote lessons will not be an efficient–possibly not effective–teaching method, and I do not want to waste money if that’s the case. Would love to hear any insight y’all have, particularly if based on experience.